Outboard Motor Oil

Oil prices held near $119 a barrel Wednesday as weekly data was being collected to further confirm declining crude oil demand in the United States.   In Europe, New York and London, crude oil prices went down by margins from 53 cents per barrel to around $2.25 per barrel.  Commodity market insiders speculated that oil prices would probably continue to drop unless the U. S. Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration’s weekly oil inventory report shows that gasoline stocks fell significantly as well.

The worldwide market appeared to be reacting to uncertain demand outlook in several countries.  The U.S. Federal Reserve issued a statement Tuesday that its key interest rate would remain at 2 percent for the time being.  In summation, the Fed statement said that higher energy prices were bound to affect the economy over the next few fiscal quarters, possibly lead to a marked reduction in the demand for bulk oil. 

Two cycle oil for high-performance racing motors needs to contain a heavier synthetic base than most to protect the pistons and bearing that are under more strain from the rigors of racing.  High performance two cycle motors can include stock or modified motors, including snowmobiles, personal watercraft, Moto X motorcycles, ATVs, go-carts and certain outboard motors. 

Performance motor oils need to reduce friction and burn clean, because high performance two cycle motors run hotter than recreational outboard motors.   The properties of appropriate performance motor oil will also provide some protection against wearing of essential engine components.

 Piston barrel pumps will aid you in getting your bulk motor oil from the barrels.  Piston barrel pumps are useful for other products as well, specifically petroleum products such as antifreeze. 

Different drum pumps are in production to provide compatibility with different types of liquids depending on the construction of the o-ring, gasket, hose material, and suction tube. 

The nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! offers guidance for outdoor ethics, encompassing all types of outdoor recreation. It goes without saying that they have some valuable insights about responsible motorized boating.  Before beginning your excursion, make certain your trailer is in working order, all signal lights are operable, and that the boat is secure.  When trailering your boat, carefully balance the entire load, including the boat itself and any items that may be stowed inside, including outboard motor oil.

Travel and launch your boat only in designated waterways open to your specific type of boat.  Carry a Coast-Guard approved life vest for each person on board. 
Operate your boat at a safe speed, complying with all signs and barriers, including speed limits, no-wake zones, underwater obstructions, and the like.  Never go boating alone if you can avoid it–assign a designated lookout scoping the water for other boaters, objects, and swimmers.  Cross any wakes at slow speeds, staying aware of skiers and towables—never jump a wake.

Yamalube 2s oil has a wide viscosity range and special detergents appropriate for extreme temperatures. 

The properties of Yamalube 2s oil can power motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, and golf carts, but are particularly recommended for snowmobiles with 2-stroke engines.

Oil prices fell to less than $122 a barrel this week, extending the decline of expectations that 2008’s rising energy costs are undercutting the demand for gasoline in the United States.  The recent gradual strengthening of the U. S. dollar against the euro and the Japanese yen is also keeping  bulk oil prices lower–investors tend to buy commodities when the dollar softens, selling when U. S. currency becomes healthier again.

Crude oil futures have declined significantly in the past three weeks.  Prices remain about 60 percent higher than they were at this time last year.

When choosing between a two-stroke or four-stroke outboard motor for your boat, the features of each must be considered.  Two-stroke outboard motors are lighter in weight, less expensive, and often faster.   They are generally easier to repair and maintain, having a comparatively simple design that has been available for almost 80 years. Two-stroke outboard motors tend to hold their resale value, remaining in high demand in the used market. On the con side, a two-stroke outboard motor produces more pollution, smoke, are non-two cycle oil injection models, have a rougher idle than their four-stroke counterparts, and are sometimes harder to start.

Four-stroke outboard motors are cleaner, quieter, smoother, provide more fuel economy, and are often more reliable.   They are preferred by some boaters who run in lakes and rivers because they are generally accepted at any body of water. They do not run on an oil and gas mixture or generate as much pollution.  The negatives of four-stroke outboard motors include their high expense for purchase and repair and heavy bulk, which makes it complicated to transport or position in storage without the help of a stand.  Because the design for a four-stroke outboard motor is more complicated than its two-stroke counterpart, there are more parts to malfunction.   However, outboard motor production will be either four-stroke or very similar. The technology for the four-stroke outboard motor is always improving, and as time goes on, there is a higher percentage of qualified mechanics to perform any necessary repairs.  The current used market is very limited for the four-stroke outboard motor, though this is also growing as technology and training improves. 

*Note:  this comparison does not include direct fuel-injected two-stroke models.

With the high prices of gas and boat motor oil, more and more people are staying relatively close to home to use their boats, even in areas with no apparent recreational  boating water near them.   New boats retail from $15,000 to $50,000, which is comparable to other similar leisure pursuits.  Boating enthusiasts are willing to drive a couple of hours to get to the destination, where they can fish, waterski, wakeboard, inner tube, or just work on a tan. 
 A family boating trip allows for more togetherness than the average vacation, where all family members might split up to pursue their own activities, such as golf, shop, or go to a movie.  Some family boating trips can coincide with a trip to see other family members, or incorporate camping into the trip for a new twist.

Just as it is important to maintain your car’s engine for optimum performance, your boat requires a certain amount of care for consistent and smooth operation. Since an outboard motor hangs outside the hull of a boat, it requires special attention to prolong its life.  Caution when transporting your boat to the destination of your planned outing is extremely important.  The motor and boat trailer should be braced securely so that the motion of land travel does not cause permanent damage. 

Each time a boat is returned from a salt water excursion, the outboard motor should be flushed out with fresh water to prevent the pump and lines from corrosion.  Outboard motor oil and gas lines should be drained and disconnected before storing your boat for an extended period of time to keep the carburetor clean.  The area around the propeller and gears of the motor should be checked for cleanliness and excess water accumulation.  The pump inside the motor should also be checked to ensure the impellers do not look worn.  If all of these steps are taken regularly, your outboard motor should provide its best possible performance.

The viscosity of boat motor oil is one of its most important properties, as it measures how any given oil will flow.  Thicker oils will generally have a higher viscosity than thinner oils.  The viscosity of boat motor oil is essential for productive engine operation.

The numbers and letters on boat motor oil packaging refer to measurements that have been taken at specific temperatures.  A “W” means the oil meets viscosity specifications for winter use.  Multi-viscosity boat motor oils prevent the oil from thinning as it warms up because polymers have been added to prevent the oil from thinning.  It is wise to use multi-viscosity boat motor oil with the narrowest span of viscosity for the temperatures you will encounter—in the winter, for the lowest expected temperature, and for the summer, for the highest temperature anticipated.